Engines & Tankers
The vehicles often considered the most important for any fire service are the engines and tankers. These large trucks are the most versatile in the fleet. Not only do they carry water and anywhere from 2-6 firefighters, but they often carry other large equipment like jaws of life, generators, and flood lights.
One of the major differences between rural fire departments like ours, and major city departments is that rural departments are often required to shuttle water to structure fires, as opposed to connecting directly into a municipal water system via hydrants. It is for this reason that large tanker trucks are found more frequently in rural departments.
Engine-4
The newest vehicle in the Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department's fleet is Engine-4. This is our primary engine. It is sent on all structure fires, vehicle accidents, and odor investigations, as well as other calls.
This engine was purchased with taxpayer money, fully equiped, in 2005 for approximately $410,000. It has an HME chassis and was built by 4Guys. The tank capacity is 1000 gallons and the mid-mount pump can move up to 1500 gallons per minute. It also has a 30 gallon "Class A" foam tank and a 50 gallon "Class B" foam tank.
The jaws equipment on this truck is built into the front bumper and contains two 100' hose lines. This "bumper mount" system was the first of it's kind for 4Guys and special engineering changes needed to be made to the truck to accomodate it. As an added versitility, if needed, the power unit can be removed from the truck and carried to the scene with the jaws equipment.
Engine-4 contains a deck gun and a 10,000 watt generator. For safety on icy roads, it has also been fitted with an OnSpot tire chain system. When activated by the driver, tire chains spin underneath the rear tires of this truck for added traction.
The department regularly runs this vehicle with it's full capacity of 6 firefighters to a scene.
Tanker-5
Purchased using $285,000 of taxpayer money in 2001, our largest capacity water hauler was also built by 4Guys. The tank capacity on this vehicle is 2500 gallons. The most common use of this truck is as a water hauler. As such, the water can be transferred to the 3000 gallon port-a-tank carried on the side of this truck. The entire 2500 gallons can be dumped in just 45 seconds, using one of three "Jet Dump" ports. The ports are located on both sides and the rear of the truck. The driver simply positions the vehicle next to a port-a-tank and presses a button in the cab to dump the load. This feature makes this truck a very efficient water hauler. However, if needed, this vehicle can also serve as a primary pumper truck using the 1500 gallon per minute pump and it's several hoselines.
While the primary tanker in the fleet does not contain jaws equipment for vehicle extracation, it is equipped with a 10,000 watt hydraulic generator which supplies power to 4 high power spotlights, capable of lighting up an entire scene at night. The tanker also has a built-in foam system, capable of carrying up to 30 gallons of "Class A" foam, used to extinguish alcohol fires, and 50 gallons of "Class B" or "AFFF" foam used for extinguish most other types of fires.
Tanker-5 carries many other useful fire fighting tools, such as ladders, a large exhaust fan, a K12 circular saw, and various other fire fighting implements.
While the primary use of this vehicle is as a tanker, it remains one of the most versatile trucks in the fleet.
Engine-6
Engine-6 is our secondary pumper truck and the oldest vehicle in the fleet. It is nearing the end of it's life cycle. It was purchased in 1983 for $72,561 from Emergency-One Fire Apparatus. Engine-6 has a Ford 800 Chassis with a 420 V8 gasoline engine.
Capable of transporting up to 4 fire fighters to a scene, two of which ride in the open-air rear portion of the cab, Engine-6 was our primary pumper truck for many years until 2005, when Engine-4 was purchased.
This truck has a 1000 gallon tank and a 1000 gallon per minute pump capacity. It is also equipped with a portable, gas powered jaws system which contains spreaders, cutters, & a ram unit. The truck also carries a chain saw and various other fire fighting tools and safety equipment. The generator on Engine-6 is a gas powered 5000 watt generator, capable of supplying power to two high powered spot lights.